A bird's-eye view of the Maoshan Boat Fair in Xinghua. [Photo/WeChat account: xinghuafabu]
The annual Maoshan Boat Fair, a national intangible cultural heritage event, was held in Maoshan village, Dainan town, Xinghua, a county-level city in Taizhou, on Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, on April 5.
The fair originated in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 — 1279) and was inscribed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2014, serving as a unique folk cultural treasure of the Lixiahe region.
It stems from nostalgia, reverence and tributes to the souls of unnamed martyrs who laid down their lives for the country.
A major highlight this year was the deep integration of the Maoshan Boat Fair with another national intangible heritage item, Maoshan Haozi folk music, driving development and innovation through preservation.
"The scene was vibrant, with colorful bunting fluttering everywhere, and the boat races brought the participants' spirit to life, thrilling the spectators," said attendee Cao Juanyi.
Ni Chunhua, a local resident, said that when she was young, her school would arrange for students to attend the Maoshan Boat Fair every Qingming Festival.
Now a teacher, she continues to carry on this cherished tradition, bringing her students to the event each year to experience their hometown's intangible cultural heritage in person.